Summer 2026: Sun, Travel and Malaria — What Suffolk Patients Need to Know Before You Go
Summer should be the highlight of your year — and with the right preparation, it will be.
Whether you're exploring the Suffolk coast, heading to the Med for a family holiday, or embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime trip further afield, a little health planning goes a long way.
At Saxmundham Pharmacy, we've put together this guide to answer the questions we hear most every summer. From choosing the right SPF and knowing what to do when your skin needs soothing, to understanding which travel vaccinations you need and how to protect yourself from malaria — everything you need is right here.
By the end of this guide you'll know exactly what to prepare, when to do it, and where to get help.
Let's get started.
Sun Protection: More Than Just Avoiding Sunburn
Most people know they should wear sunscreen. But many don't know how to use it correctly — and that gap makes all the difference.
Choose the Right SPF
SPF tells you how long the sun's UVB rays would take to redden your skin:
SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays
SPF 30 blocks about 97%
SPF 50 blocks about 98%
For UK summer, SPF 30 is the minimum. If travelling abroad — Spain, Greece, Turkey, the Caribbean, or Southeast Asia — use SPF 50, especially for children or fair skin.
Always choose broad spectrum protection — this means it protects against both UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) rays. Look for the UVA circle symbol on the packaging.
How Much and How Often
This is where most people go wrong. You need:
One teaspoon for your face and neck
Two tablespoons for your body
Reapply every two hours — even after swimming
Apply 20–30 minutes before going outside, not once you're already there.
Don't Forget These Areas
Ears and back of the neck
Tops of feet
Scalp if hair is thinning
Lips — use an SPF lip balm
Eyes — UV protective sunglasses are essential
Children and Sun Safety
Children under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight entirely.
For older children, use SPF 50 and reapply frequently. Children burn faster than adults and early sun damage significantly increases lifetime skin cancer risk.
Simple rule — if your child is playing outdoors, they're wearing sunscreen. No exceptions.
After Sun: The Step Most People Skip
You've been careful all day — sunscreen on, hat on, staying in the shade. But what happens to your skin after the sun goes down matters just as much.
Sun exposure — even without burning — draws moisture out of your skin, leaving it dry, tight and tired. After sun care helps your skin recover, stay hydrated and maintain its natural barrier.
Why After Sun Matters
Replenishes moisture lost through heat and UV exposure
Soothes redness and inflammation even without visible burning
Reduces peeling — keeping skin healthier for the days ahead
Cools the skin after a long day outdoors
Supports skin recovery — especially important for children and sensitive skin
What to Look for in an After Sun Product
Not all after sun products are equal. Look for:
Aloe vera — the gold standard for soothing sun-exposed skin
Hyaluronic acid — deeply hydrating, draws moisture back into the skin
Panthenol (Vitamin B5) — promotes skin healing and reduces discomfort
Chamomile or cucumber extract — calming and anti-inflammatory
Rosehip oil — repairs the skin barrier and supports overnight recovery. Best applied at night as it can increase sun sensitivity
Vitamin E — neutralises UV damage and helps reduce peeling. Even better paired with Vitamin C
Oat oil — exceptionally soothing for sensitive and eczema-prone skin
Beta-glucan — derived from oats, deeply hydrating and calms inflamed skin
Wheat germ oil — nourishes and repairs sun-damaged skin. Ideal for dry and mature skin
Fragrance free options — essential for sensitive skin and children
Avoid products containing alcohol as the main ingredient — they may feel cooling initially but will dry your skin out further.
How to Apply After Sun Correctly
Apply generously as soon as you come indoors
Pat gently — don't rub
Apply twice — once when you come in and again before bed
Drink plenty of water — hydration from inside is just as important
For children, make after sun part of their evening routine
What to Do If You Burn
Get out of the sun immediately
Cool the skin with a cool — not cold — shower or damp cloth
Apply a gentle after sun lotion or pure aloe vera gel
Take ibuprofen or paracetamol to reduce pain and inflammation
Drink plenty of water
Do not burst any blisters — seek medical advice if blistering occurs
At Saxmundham Pharmacy we stock after sun products for all skin types and ages — including options for children and sensitive skin. Pop in and our team will help you find the right one.
Travel Vaccinations: Plan Ahead and Travel With Confidence
One of the most important things to know about travel vaccinations is timing. Some vaccines need two or more doses weeks apart. Others take time to build full immunity.
Ideally visit a travel clinic at least 6–8 weeks before you travel — though we can still help with shorter notice, so don't be put off.
Which Vaccinations Do You Need?
This depends on where you're going, what you'll be doing and how long you'll be there. Common travel vaccines include:
Hepatitis A — most destinations outside Northern Europe, North America and Australia
Typhoid — South Asia, Africa, South America
Yellow Fever — required by law in certain countries in Africa and South America
Meningitis ACWY — Sub-Saharan Africa and Saudi Arabia
Japanese Encephalitis — rural areas of Southeast Asia
Rabies — extended time outdoors or working with animals
Hepatitis B — longer stays or those likely to need medical treatment abroad
Cholera — destinations with poor sanitation
Some are available on the NHS; others are private. Our pharmacist will advise exactly which you need — no guesswork, no unnecessary jabs.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Your vaccination record — yellow book or NHS history
Your travel itinerary — countries, regions, duration
Details of planned activities — hiking, wildlife, water sports
A list of current medications or health conditions
You can also email your vaccination history and travel itinerary to info.saxmundhampharmacy@gmail.com in advance. Our pharmacist will review everything before your appointment.
Malaria Prevention: Protect Yourself the Right Way
Malaria is a serious disease transmitted by mosquito bites. It is found in large parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and parts of the Middle East.
The good news is that malaria is entirely preventable with the right precautions.
Antimalarial Tablets
There is currently no vaccine for malaria. Prevention relies on antimalarial tablets combined with bite avoidance.
The right antimalarial depends on your destination, trip duration, medical history and other medications you take:
Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone) — daily, start 1–2 days before travel, ideal for shorter trips
Doxycycline — daily, start 2 days before travel, must be taken with food
Our pharmacist will prescribe the right antimalarial for your specific plans.
Bite Avoidance — Just as Important as Tablets
Use insect repellent containing DEET 50% on all exposed skin
Sleep under a permethrin-treated mosquito net
Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evenings
Stay in air-conditioned or screened accommodation where possible
Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn
After You Return
Malaria symptoms can appear up to a year after returning from a risk area. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
If you develop these symptoms after travelling, seek medical attention promptly and always tell your doctor where you have been.
A Final Word on Summer Health
Good health preparation doesn't take long — but it makes a real difference to how you feel, how you travel, and how much you enjoy your summer.
Sun protection, after sun care, travel vaccinations and malaria prevention are not complicated. They just need a little thought and the right advice.
And good health advice should never be hard to find. That's why we're here.
Ready for Summer? We're Here to Help.
Your health, your summer, your peace of mind — that's what we're here for.
Whether you need sun protection advice, after sun recommendations, travel vaccinations, malaria tablets, or simply a friendly conversation about your upcoming trip — our team is ready to help.
No GP referral needed. No long waits. Just expert, personal care from people who actually know you.
Book your travel health appointment online 24/7
📞 Call us on 01728 602051
We serve patients from across Suffolk including Saxmundham, Aldeburgh, Leiston, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Halesworth, Southwold, Beccles, Wickham Market and surrounding villages.
Saxmundham Pharmacy — we're here when you need us.
